Dumbledore's Considerations, Magical Creature Transfiguration

Hogwarts, in the headmaster's office.

Professor McGonagall sat at the desk, speaking at length about Lucien.

Opposite her was an old man with silver-white hair and beard, wearing half-moon spectacles, behind which shone a pair of bright blue eyes.

Albus Dumbledore.

"...Perhaps he is the most gifted child in Transfiguration I have ever seen."

"He is also very eager to learn, not at all as mischievous as children his age..."

After listening to Professor McGonagall's description, Dumbledore chuckled and said, "Minerva, from what you've said, this Lucien is indeed very talented, especially in Transfiguration."

"It seems Hogwarts is about to welcome another exceptionally gifted student."

Dumbledore had been a little surprised at first, because he rarely saw McGonagall evaluate a student at such length, especially one who had not yet enrolled.

However, Dumbledore had already lived for more than a century and had taught at Hogwarts for many years. He had seen far too many so-called genius students.

Some of them had shone brilliantly in their respective fields, while others had ultimately faded into the crowd.

So Dumbledore did not pay too much attention to this child named Lucien.

Besides, Harry would be enrolling this year. As the savior in the prophecy, Dumbledore had placed most of his energy and attention on him.

With a light wave of his wand, Dumbledore conjured a plate of Cockroach Cluster and two glasses of honey water.

McGonagall had spoken until she was somewhat thirsty as well. Seeing this, she picked up the honey water on the table and took a small sip.

But after only one sip, she frowned and set it down.

Too sweet.

"Also, Albus, when I watched Lucien use Transfiguration at the time."

"Besides those conventional transformations, in the end, he actually transformed something into a magical creature, an Occamy."

McGonagall leaned forward and asked Dumbledore, "Have you ever seen similar Transfiguration?"

Hearing Professor McGonagall's question, Dumbledore withdrew the hand he had been reaching toward the Cockroach Cluster and instead adjusted his glasses.

His gaze suddenly grew solemn.

As someone who could be called a master in the field of Transfiguration, Dumbledore naturally understood what McGonagall's question implied.

Transfiguration could actually involve magical creatures?

Dumbledore had never seen such a thing either!

Someone who could quickly grasp existing knowledge in the early stages, then later pioneer and innovate, could be called a genius.

But what about someone who displayed unknown abilities from the very beginning?

Perhaps this was no longer within the category of genius.

Dumbledore's expectations for Lucien shifted. He had no choice but to reassess him.

"Minerva, I'll have to trouble you to pay more attention to Lucien in the future."

"A student with such extraordinary talent needs proper guidance all the more."

As if thinking of a certain student from the past, Dumbledore sighed softly.

"How about this? Write to Lucien first and tell him not to touch magical creature transformation for now. Tell him it is very dangerous."

McGonagall nodded gravely.

A child with such outstanding talent could not be allowed to fall into the danger of reckless experimentation.

McGonagall was even considering whether she should pay another visit in person and explain the relevant matters clearly to Lucien herself.

Grafton Manor.

Lucien stood in the bedroom, holding his wand in his right hand and a copy of Encyclopedia of Beginner Spells in his left.

His wand pointed at a pile of ceramic shards on the floor, and his wrist gave a light flick.

"Reparo."

The shards automatically assembled into a complete teapot, and the cracks gradually vanished as if being played in reverse.

"Mm, pretty simple. Next."

Lucien flipped through the book in his hand, learning new spells.

After merging with Loki's Faceless, his white magic talent had also reached S-rank.

Learning simple beginner spells like this naturally came to him with ease.

One moment the teapot floated into the air, the next its surface stains were cleaned away, and the next Lucien summoned it into his hand...

"Knock, knock, knock—"

Lucien turned his head toward the source of the sound.

A snow-white owl was perched outside the window, a letter clutched in its beak.

Lucien did not go over to help open the window. He simply tapped with his wand.

"Alohomora."

The window opened at the sound, and the owl flapped its wings and flew in.

Lucien lowered his head to glance at the wand, then chuckled softly.

Magic really was convenient.

A single wand could do so many things.

He took the letter the owl had delivered and opened it.

When he saw the signature, Lucien raised an eyebrow.

"Professor McGonagall?"

"Lucien Grafton:

I have already discussed this with Headmaster Dumbledore. Lucien, your talent is quite outstanding, especially in the field of Transfiguration.

Having bought so many books, I believe you have already begun studying magical knowledge.

You have likely tried your hand at Transfiguration as well. I must specifically remind you that you absolutely must not attempt to transform magical creatures.

Such an act is extremely dangerous, and there is no clear precedent for it in the wizarding world.

If you wish to learn more about Transfiguration, you may come to me after you arrive at Hogwarts.

I had originally intended to visit you again and explain this to you in person, but there are many matters to prepare for the incoming students.

However, I believe you are not a reckless, impulsive child, and that you will not deliberately attempt dangerous acts."

The letter was not long, and Lucien finished reading it quickly.

Put simply, transforming magical creatures was dangerous, and she did not want me to try it casually.

There was no clear precedent?

A new direction for Transfiguration?

Lucien frowned. Of course he had not forgotten that he had to repay faceless Loki's loan. Within a year, he had to perfectly master Transfiguration. Aside from learning existing Transfiguration knowledge, he also needed to pioneer and discover new fields of Transfiguration.

Professor McGonagall said she had discussed it with Dumbledore, which meant Dumbledore had never witnessed the transformation of magical creatures either.

Then this should count as an unknown field of Transfiguration. As long as he could research it and complete it, he would be able to satisfy the loan requirement.

But that transformation, the one that ended with me turning into a creature suspected to be an Occamy, was only my instinctive spellcasting. How could it involve something so profound...

Lucien had already finished reading that copy of Guide to Raising Magical Creatures and now had a certain understanding of magical creatures. He judged that the creature he had finally transformed into at Ollivander's wand shop was highly consistent with an Occamy in both appearance and its characteristic changes in body size.

Combined with Professor McGonagall's current warning, Lucien's guess was basically confirmed.

Raising his wand, Lucien listened to the faint snickering coming from within it.

Loki?

I now had Loki's magical talent, especially his talent in Transfiguration, and it was already at the highest SSS rank.

So that time, transforming into a magical creature through spellcasting was most likely still because of Loki's talent.

Magical creatures...

Lucien thought of Loki's grotesque offspring in myth and legend: the giant wolf Fenrir, the world serpent Jormungandr, and the eight-legged horse Sleipnir.

Could those offspring actually have been created by Loki using Transfiguration?